I love movies. I know, who doesn’t? But considering the time of year, I felt it apropos to spend some time paying homage to some of my favorites. I have a list of my Top 5 of all Time (again, who doesn’t?) but I also have a list of my Top 5 if I was Stranded on a Desert Island. You might think that these lists overlap, but you will soon see how important and how specifically different the lists are. You might even find yourself inspired to create a SDI (Stranded Desert Island) list of your, own as it allows for a lot more creativity.

The Top 5 list is for the movies you respect. The ones you can’t watch that often and the ones that you can’t watch on TBS cause they bleep out too many of your favorite parts/lines. They are the movies you find on many critic’s top ten lists, they are Academy Award winners more often than not, and they feature the greatest actors of our time. Here is my list in no particular order.

The Godfather Part 2 – the scene where a young Robert DeNiro waits in the hallway to kill the Don… pure cinematic genius.

Braveheart – the scenery, the bravery, the eyes… I dare you not to feel sympathy and admiration for the Scots of 12th century Europe.

Forrest Gump – I love a movie that can teach me something about the world we live in, and explain it in such a way that I can understand it.

Legends of the Fall – BRAD PITT’S HAIR

Shawshank Redemption – The story of Andy Dufresne reminds me that nothing is impossible, friendship is all powerful and revenge is worth waiting for.

Now, on to the more fun list. These are the movies you can watch over and over again. You not only know all the lines, you know all the songs, the locations and in some cases, the dance moves. You have befriended people whose SDI list is similar to yours and you have spent many Sunday afternoons watching and re-watching these movies over ordered pizza or Chinese food. You own these movies, you quote these movies, you LOVE these movies. Again, here is my list in no particular order.

Dirty Dancing – “I’m afraid of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life, the way I feel when I’m with you.”

Intolerable Cruelty- “Alright, Miles. Let me tell you everything you need to know. You may think you’re tough, but I eat men like you for breakfast.”
Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb- “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room.”
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy- “What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn’t he?”
The Shining- “Redrum. Redrum. Redrum. ”
Army of Darkness- “Well hello Mister Fancypants. Well, I’ve got news for you pal, you ain’t leadin’ but two things, right now: Jack and shit… and Jack left town.”

Robin Hood: Men in Tights – “A toll is a toll. And a roll is a roll. And if we don’t get no tolls, then we don’t eat no rolls.”
Wet Hot American Summer – “It’s so fun to go into town – even if it’s just for an hour.”
Anchorman – “Ribs.. I had ribs for lunch..that’s why I’m doing this.”
That Thing You Do: “When was the last time you were decently kissed? I mean, truly, truly, good and kissed?”
All 10 seasons of Friends: “PIVOT!!!!!!” (I know this doesn’t count..)